Mount and Blade is the type of game that you don’t get to see very often. Imagine Age of Empires, but it’s an RPG and you are playing in 3rd person view with the freedom to do whatever you want on an open-world map.
There is truly no game that fully imitates the Mount and Blade experience, which is why I highly recommend you give it a shot if you are a fan of tactics and strategy.
However, there are people who have already finished the game and are looking for something similar to scratch the itch. Worry not, I’ve got you covered with my list of 15 games like Mount and Blade.
Since this is such a unique type of game, I couldn’t really find a 1:1 experience match. But there are alternatives to each aspect of Mount and Blade. For instance, if you want a similar combat system there’s Mordhau and For Honor. Want that tactical strategy vibe where you command an army? Total War should fit the bill.
1. Valheim
When the Vikings television show came out, it became an instant hit and all of a sudden everybody wanted to put Vikings in their movies, games, etc. The phenomenon continues to this day. However, few do it in a way that is representative of what Vikings were really like.
In Norse lore, Valheim is the 10th realm, this is where Odin sends his enemies to eternal exile. Kind of like Hell in Christian mythology. It makes sense that in a game called Valheim, your goal is to survive this brutal and chaotic world where you’ve been cast aside to be tested.
The world of Valheim is procedurally generated, and extremely beautiful with its diverse landscapes. From snow-covered peaks to grassy plains, this game has it all. You even go on raids in Viking ships.
Clearly, this isn’t a tactical strategy like Mount and Blade. But its combat is similar and you get to do a bunch of stuff in co-op with friends. You build bases, own castles, and go on raids. Crafting better armor and weapons is also one of the main draws of this game.
2. Battle Brothers
With its top-down camera angle and mediocre graphics, it doesn’t seem all that similar to Mount and Blade. But take a deeper look. This game is set in a medieval fantasy world. Just like Mount and Blade.
You command a company of troops. Just like Mount and Blade. There is plenty of strategy involved, plus characters gather experience and level up kind of like an RPG. Seeing the similarities yet? Think of Battle Brothers as Game of Thrones crossed with XCOM. It plays just as well as it sounds.
3. Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Do you want to play a game set in 1400’s Bohemia? It may not sound super exciting at first, but Kingdom Come: Deliverance is one of the most exceptional open-world RPGs of this decade. As an RPG, it far surpasses the Witcher thanks to an excellent leveling and combat system combined with all sorts of side activities.
You feel like you’re in a living, breathing world that reacts to how you look, talk, and… smell? No seriously, don’t take a shower for a few days and see how the NPCs give you weird looks. And if you walk into a tavern with bloodied clothes and a weapon in hand, you will be suspected of being a shady character and dealt with appropriately.
The side quests are actually interesting and the story is very entertaining. I highly recommend you give this game a try if you want an RPG set in medieval times with hack and slash combat.
4. Kenshi
If you can get past the clunky controls and lackluster visuals, Kenshi is actually an extremely deep game that will keep you glued to your seat for days. Or weeks. It is an open-world RPG that lets you be whoever you feel like playing.
Do you want to be a warlord? Go right ahead and amass a legion of loyal followers who will loot and plunder on your command. Do you want to be a thief? Well, put on your hood and get ready to steal stuff.
Or perhaps you want to be a farmer and grow crops, then hand over said crops to your trader friend? Kenshi is more of an open sandbox than a linear RPG, even though the RPG elements are properly fleshed out. At its core, Kenshi is an experience rather than a game. A really unique and engaging experience.
5. Mordhau
If you want to relive the combat of Mount and Blade, but scaled up to 11- this is the game. Mordhau is all about recreating the savagery and intensity of medieval combat. Experience a rush of adrenaline as you and 50 other squadmates storm a castle being defended by another squad of a few dozen people.
And there is nearly endless weapon + armor customization, not to mention character customization. Mordhau’s melee combat system is one of the best I’ve seen in any medieval-themed game.
6. For Honor
A game that had a really rocky start. P2P networking combined with shoddy netcode and a lackluster campaign mode ensured a drastic drop-off in For Honor’s player base soon after Ubisoft released it.
Even these days, the dev team has been making some questionable balance choices with new hero releases which means some are really underpowered while others are instant wins if you pick them. Visually and mechanically, the game is just what you’d expect from a modern AAA.
It is a very good hack and slash, sort of set in the medieval era. You can play as a knight, samurai, Viking, or just about any other historical warrior type with all the weapon selections to match.
7. Sid Meier’s Pirates!
AAAR! Get your treasure map, pegleg, and spyglass because this game will take you on a wild pirate adventure across the Caribbeans. It’s basically the ideal pirate game.
You sail ships, recruit crew members, raid villages, loot merchant ships, try to escape the navy, and battle rival pirate gangs. Oh, and don’t forget the treasure hunting. If you want an open-world strategy game based around pirates, this is it.
8. Freeman: Guerilla Tactics
A game that seamlessly combines commanding an entire army of soldiers with being on the frontlines as an actual fighter with first-person view. Freeman: Guerilla Tactics is the best of both worlds, imagine Arma combined with Mount and Blade.
It is an open-world sandbox with an interesting campaign mode that lets you take over the world by gradually building your own mercenary army. Instead of swords and shields, you’ve got automatic rifles and grenade launchers. This is a modern FPS with the heart of a real-time strategy game.
9. Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord
Well, it took them 12 years but finally, we have a proper sequel to the first Mount & Blade. Bannerlord has everything the original game had, with quite a few welcome additions. Not to mention, a smoother combat system and modern graphics.
Just like before, you command a force of warriors and go on an adventure across Calradia. You can both command your troops and fight alongside them, with plenty of time in between battles to woo maidens at the local tavern or create alliances with local figures.
There are talents and perks, so this is also an RPG. And an entire economic system has been simulated in-game with supply and demand shifting over time for various goods. There are all sorts of quests, you can raid helpless villages or help them by defeating bandit gangs.
10. Kingdom Under Fire: Heroes
It’s a sequel to the Xbox game Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders, but now you get HD textures and improved lighting so the game looks a lot better. Plus, controls have been streamlined and there is extensive controller support.
This game is a mix of real-time strategy and hack n’ slash, much like Mount and Blade. It isn’t a proper RPG, although you can upgrade your crew by gathering experience from battles.
There are also fantasy elements involved as you can use magic and call airstrikes upon your enemies (this is still set in medieval times).
11. Chivalry: Medieval Warfare
Sometimes, you just want to go medieval on some enemies. Chivalry helps you satisfy that urge. Imagine rushing with a broadsword and hacking an enemy in half as you and your horde of savages siege a medieval castle whilst archers rain arrows upon you from the walls.
Loot towns, murder rival armies, and recruit a gang of fierce warriors who will gladly ride into certain death with you on horseback. Chivalry is a multiplayer game, unlike Mount and Blade which is more of a single-player sandbox RPG.
Still, it retains the same medieval theme and hack n’ slash combat system with all sorts of weapons from longbows to javelins and broadswords.
12. Stronghold HD
This is the medieval castle simulation game you’ve been waiting for. It places most of its focus on building and defending a castle. You can play against an AI or get into the online mode with up to 8 players.
There is an in-game economy + resource system, you have to gather resources within the specified time limit to build up defenses and fortify your buildings. Think of it as an old tower defense game with tons of strategic depth that requires lots of practice.
13. The Witcher 3
It’s a linear story-driven RPG, very different from Mount & Blade which mostly lets you do your own thing in an open-world sandbox. Plus, you are stuck with one premade character- Geralt of Rivia. You can’t customize him much, nor can you change his appearance. Plus, it’s set in a high fantasy world complete with griffins and vampires.
However, the story is truly one of the best I’ve seen in any RPG game and the unique selection of magical spells combined with perks makes combat quite interesting.
It isn’t much of a hack n’ slash but if you want a good story-driven RPG with a massive open-world this is exactly the game for you.
14. Gloria Victis
This one’s an MMORPG, so think World of Warcraft except it’s more realistic. Gloria Victis doesn’t have any magic spells or dwarves and elves. Instead, it focuses on good hack n’ slash combat with realistic weapon handling.
Player driven economy combined with large-scale PvP battles defines this excellent game. You can build your character to be a leader on the frontlines or an archer on the backlines.
You can also control territory and build castles. If you want, you can siege and capture enemy territory/ castles.
15. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Yeah, I know. It isn’t a strategy game and is more Lord of The Rings than Mount and Blade. But it’s still vaguely medieval, and definitely an open-world RPG. If you are fine with less strategy and not being able to control an army, Skyrim is a good stand-in for games like Mount & Blade.
It has more action, magical spells, mythical creatures, and a larger world to explore. You can join all sorts of factions, craft legendary armor, defeat dragons, etc.
Conclusion
What did you think of my list? Are there any other medieval hack n’ slash open-world RPGs that come to mind? Granted, nothing can truly replicate the Mount & Blade experience.
Skyrim and Witcher are what you should check out if you want more story. Total War and Kingdom Under Fire are for those who want strategic depth. If medieval hack n’ slash combat is what you’re after, check out Mordhau and Chivalry.
Want to find out similar suggestions for other games as well? Visit our Games Like hub.